MAYELI
There was only one destination on my mind: Bryan's house, just a stone's throw away from the hotel.
I hailed a cab, my hands trembling as I climbed inside, the shattered remains of my heart weighing heavily on my chest.
"The Diamond Villa," I whispered, my voice shaky and broken, as I directed the cab driver towards my destination. With a silent nod, he began the journey, each passing moment feeling like an eternity.
After a few agonizing minutes, the cab pulled up in front of Bryan's house, and I wasted no time in scrambling out of the car and rushing towards his door.
My knuckles rapped against the wooden surface with such force that it felt like I might just tear the door from its hinges. I pounded and pounded, desperation driving each blow.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Bryan swung the door open, his expression a mix of coldness and shock as he took in my tear-streaked face.
"What's wrong, Mayeli? Why are you here?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern, but I couldn't find the words to respond.
Without a word, I stepped into his house, the tears still streaming down my cheeks, and began to pace the length of his living room, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of emotions.
"Come on, Mayeli, tell me what's going on!" Bryan pressed, his concern evident in his voice. "Did he hurt you? Did he try to...?" Before he could finish his sentence, I cut him off, shaking my head vehemently.
"It's not that, Bryan! It's far more complicated than that. We need to get out of here. I can't stay married to him, please!" I pleaded, the desperation evident in my voice as I implored him to understand.
"What do you mean, run away? You're married to Dane Hale, the billionaire! There's nothing you can do now, Mayeli. It's done," Bryan stated, his tone firm as he approached me.
"But I can't stay married to him, Bryan! We have to leave town!" I insisted, trying to sway him to see reason, but it was clear he had his own plans, ones that didn't involve fleeing from Dane's grasp.
"I'm sorry, Mayeli, but..." Bryan began, but I cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
"You can't leave because you're scared!" The words spilled from my lips, my eyes widening as the truth hit me like a ton of bricks.
Bryan was never the brave, selfless partner I had hoped for. After seven years together, I realized I had been dating a coward all along. He couldn't summon the courage to stand by my side and flee, to protect me when I needed him most.
"It's not about fear, Mayeli. I just can't risk crossing the Hale family. What if they come after mine? There are certain people you don't mess with in this country, and you know it!" Bryan attempted to justify his decision, but his words fell flat in the face of my disappointment.
"You should..." he reached out to touch me, but I recoiled instinctively, taking a step back to avoid his grasp.
"You don't deserve me, Bryan! You never did!" I cried out, the pain of realisation piercing my heart like a thousand daggers.
It was excruciating to see that I was the only one invested in our relationship, while he cowered in fear.
"Mayeli, please try to understand," he pleaded softly, but his words fell on deaf ears.
"There's nothing to understand! You can't run away with me, Bryan, and that's final! But just remember this... you never truly knew who I was!" I declared, my voice trembling with emotion, as I stormed past him and fled from the house.
He tried to stop me, reaching out for me, but I refused to look back at someone who couldn't stand by me in my darkest hour.
If marrying Dane and facing whatever hardships lay ahead was my fate, then I would meet it head-on, alone if necessary.